PUBLIC LANDS Scenarios: Choices for the Future

The following scenarios were created by the Agriculture, Recreation, and Public Lands Action Team to represent possible outcomes for Utah’s public lands in 2050. The scenarios differed in how much public land was used for different purposes, including energy development, grazing, recreation, and preservation. The scenarios were presented to the public as part of the Your Utah, Your Future survey in spring 2015.

Seagull and Quaking Aspen SCENARIO

Advocates for different uses of public lands compromise, and by 2050, Utah’s public lands are used for a balance of high-intensity and low-intensity purposes. While lands managed to preserve natural character expand, we also allow for more agriculture, mining, and recreation in some areas. Energy production increases in some areas, even as we prohibit some lands from being used for energy development. Additional lands designated for preservation are balanced by an increase in lands that allow high-impact recreation, like the use of off-highway vehicles.

As a result:

Energy production (fossil fuels and renewables) and mining increase somewhat.